The challenge:
Today, more than 136 million people around the world live in areas experiencing humanitarian crises; millions of these people are unreachable by traditional humanitarian aid delivery (USAID). 30 of the biggest donors and aid organisations have recently signed ‘The Grand Bargain’ agreement to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action. Donors are looking for innovation and creative ways to improve the delivery of goods and services to alleviate the growing need.

‘The scale of humanitarian need is daunting and escalating’
Mark Green,
Administrator of USAID
at the launch of the Humanitarian Grand Challenge

The project:
Aid Works is collaborating with the University of Cambridge to conduct a scoping research project on improving the efficiencies of humanitarian procurement and supply chain systems. Led by a researcher from the University’s Institute for Manufacturing, the project will draw on academic research, multinational organisations and aid sector practices. The research will explore factors affecting the supply chain and suggest bold ideas for the future. It will also provide lessons for multinational organisations about dealing with emergencies.

Next steps:
Our aim is to keep it as practical as possible. Aid Works would like aid sector specialists’ inputs and ideas about the questions needing answering and key themes - or just get in touch if you want a chat. Email us at [email protected].

Making aid work better. Together.